June 29 (Reuters) - Satellite images of a military base southeast of the Belarus capital Minsk appear to show new facilities set up in recent days, suggesting the swift construction of a base for Wagner, the Russian mercenary company behind an abortive mutiny.
Russian media have reported that Wagner, whose leader Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Belarus on Tuesday, could set up a new base at a vacant military facility near the town of Asipovichi, about 90 km (50 miles) from Minsk.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko invited Wagner to set up operations in his country as part of a deal that ended the mutiny on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Wagner fighters were free either to move to Belarus, join the Russian military or go home, following the mutiny, which he said had threatened to bring civil war to Russia.
Reporting by George Sargent and Milan Pavicic, Writing by Peter Graff, Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin, George Sargent, Milan Pavicic, Peter Graff, Angus MacSwan
Organizations:
Minsk ., Agency's, Reuters, ESA, Thomson
Locations:
Belarus, Minsk, Russian, Asipovichi, Tsel, Russia, Ukraine